The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-02
CANADIANS DISCONTINUED.
Public Sentiment About Commercial
Union Not Ascertainable.
L.,

Public Sentiment About Commercial
Union Not Ascertainable.
From the Neto York Times
TORONTO, May 26.-Is Canada in frame
of mind to accept commercial union with
the United States were it offered to her?
Upon this question there is wide diversity
Of opinion. This difference of opinion exists
to marked extent here, though it is claimed
that unanimity upon the question is lacking
in all sections of the Dominion, and the re-
mark was made to-day by a prominent
citizen, a man of affairs, that if the CORE
spondent succeeded in discovering the real
sentiments of the people of Canada on the
question of commercial union with the
United States he would accomplish more
than any Canadian had achieved-this to
Illustrate the supposed and seeming chaotic
condition of public opinion upon the sub
ject. But no well organized attempt at dis
covery has been made, perhaps from fear of
the result, on the one hand, and on the other
through lack of opportunity, for the avowed
advocates of unrestricted intercourse with
the United States are yet undoubtedly in
the minority. They are preparing, how
ever, to inaugurate carefully planned and
earnest campaign, and are sanguine of
swelling their ranks to such proportions as
will justify belief in an ultimate victory.
The country is to them an unplowed field,
but the implements and seed are in store,
and the laborer is believed to be at hand
If discomfort with the existing condition
of affairs is to be factor in the fight the
opponents of commercial union will need
all their resources to secure a victory A
spirit of discomfort exists here, and if it
finds room in the prosperous city of Toronto
which has a weakness to be considered the
metropolis of the Dominion and the brains
of Canada, there is strong ground for sup
posing IL is rampant in some other quarters
of the Dominion. Toronto is a manufac-
turing centre, and Is protected by the gov
eInment. Many of its manufacturers-not
all-maintain that commercial union would
ruin them Their opponents retort that the
day of subsidies is past, and that IL would
profit the tax payers to pension manufac-
turers who cannot exist without govern
ment aid
The belief may not find expression often
in Ontario or Quebec, yet it is general
throughout the Dominion that confederation
has proved a failure. The expression of
this belief may be stifed in certain quarters
through a sentiment of loyalty, but the be-
lief exists; it cannot grow stronger, for ex-
perience has proved that the laws of trade
cannot be controlled by politics. Since CON
federation was consummated the Dominion
has been saddled with debt of S225. O0O,-
600; not large debt for a country of $500
600 square miles, but large for population
of 4, 500, 600 people, particularly where there
is very little to show for it, The lower prov
inces have never been satisfied with con-
federation. They were induced to vote for
it by specious promises that have not been
fulfilled. From fairly prosperous condi-
ton, they have become drones in the hive
cut off by high tariff from dealing with
their natural neighborS, the New England
States-distance and high freights precud-
ing any possibility of profitable trade with
the other members Of the confederation.
Under confederation Prince Edwards Isl
and has become almost lost to memory.
Nova Scotia expected that her coal deposits
would be transferred at paying prices to
Quebec and Ontario. In round numbers,
the distance between Halifax and Toronto is
200 miles. A railroad connects the two
cities, but it has proved of little advantage
to Nova Scotia. Ontario procures her sup
ply of bituminous coal from the United
States
Were Ontario able TO change places with
Quebec, Nova Scotia might not be so badly
off; her calculations might have been full
filled. But Quebec, which is within reach
ing distance of Nova Scotias coal mines,
does not want the product. There are 80
600 habitans in Quebec and they want al
most nothing. BY the rest of the Dominion
they are considered a dead weight The
tariff troubles them not. Their wants are
simple and are supplied by themselves
They add comparatively nothing to the
wealth of the country. They are source
of expense to the government and give no
return. Municipal taxes they pay to a
small extent, but the bulk of their expendi-
lures consists of tithes and assessments col
lected by the church, for in this enlighten-
ened country the medieval laws of the
seventeenth century are still in force and
the Catholic church can legally exact-and
does-one-twenty-sixth of every crop of
cereals grown by its members. and in add
ton collects from the fabrique and other
Yet swiftly-not by slow and
steady degrecs--these habitans are driving
the Engllsh-speaking race before them
They are as prolific as they are thrifty.
When Old France was ceded to England by
the French these habitans numbered 10000.
France has since supplied Canada with very
few emigrpnts, but the old stock has multi
piled until to-day il is represented by
], 80, goo in Canada and 400,0 900, they claim,
in the New England States They are ex-
tending their territory, too, and have already
driven the original settlers from several
countless in Ontario, notably from Glengarry
county which was peoped with Scotch
who were noted as being the finest sDeci-
mems of physical manhood in Canada. they
are also settling in large numbers in Mani
toba, where they should not be COMPOUNDED
with the half-breeds, who have neither the
thrifty industrious, nor lasting qualities of
the habitans. The latter boast that in less
than twenty years they win have reached
Kingstpn. the LONDONDERRY IL Qt1atia and
so modest Is their eatiinaia of Chef. own
powers that. IN time. tAey, expect fo eohtrol
the continent q NORTH AIaei'lcas The irish
with tts HH'''''s ths siFip' y isot tenable.